Participants should be fluent in both written and spoken English. Applicants from countries where English is not the language of instruction need to have obtained a score of at least 550 on the TOEFL test (or a score of at least 213 on a computer TOEFL test) or provide proof of an equivalent test or provide proof that part of their education was in English. Or equal knowledge of German.

Academic requirements

PhD

Max available positions

1

Information

With the development of polybenzimide(PBI)-imbibed membranes, fuel cell operation temperatures up to 200 °C became feasible only recently. Higher operating temperatures have the advantage that also less pure fuels, such as methanol from biomass or syngas, can be utilized. Moreover, also the complex water management system required for low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) can be simplified. However, the elevated temperatures pose more severe demands for the used materials regarding their long-term stability. Prominent degradation mechanisms already at low temperatures are the growth of the platinum nanoparticles and corrosion of the carbon support. This project will address the inadequate durability of electrocatalysts in this demanding environment. Platinum nanoparticles will be anchored specifically on the support by various methods and also the link between support and proton conducting H3PO4 modified.